The Components Of A Sound Structure

The Components of a Sound Structure

You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord . . . being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

For anyone who has built a home, you know that the foundation is critical. It must be built to fit the ground it will sit on—sand, rock, clay, or other types of soil—and support the weight of the house when it is finished. The foundation determines the structural integrity of the house, and the better it is designed, the longer the house will stand.

Nathan just finished building a new home, and between issues with the clay and sinkhole activity in the region, he spent almost as much time on construction under the ground as above it. It’s not nearly as much fun to deal with root issues, but it’s no less important.

Foundations apply to more than structures. As the apostle Paul says, the apostles and prophets form the firm foundation of faith—a long history of service and examples of people honoring God. The writer of Hebrews refers to the “great cloud of witnesses,” the loved ones in our lives who have guided and directed us—parents, spouses, friends, pastors, and others who have helped to build the foundation of our lives and point us toward the cornerstone: Jesus Christ.

In a masonry foundation, the cornerstone is the first stone laid on the foundation, the stone that orients the building. The alignment of the cornerstone gives the entire building its proper dimension and alignment, and the other stones are set in reference to it.

We can have a strong foundation of faith, but we also need to have perfect alignment with the only person who truly matters—Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of our lives. When the storms come and beat against our lives, even if we are battered and knocked down, the foundation and cornerstone stand securely. With them still in place, we can rebuild again and be even stronger.

Uncommon Key > Don’t scrimp on your spiritual building materials. Stay connected with people whose faith strengthens your foundation. And every day, align yourself with Christ, your cornerstone.